Good Morning,
I am Tsgt. Brian Goodhue working out of Selfridge ANGB, MI and I am a snowmobile rider. Thursday I was debating on leaving after work to go to my parent’s house in Roscommon for Friday only because I have to work my one weekend a month for the Guard. Well I did decide to go north and I am glad I did but I maybe ruined it for the whole season because the conditions where the best I have seen in a long time. I rode 230 miles in 8 hours by myself. All my family and friends had to work. With a coffee and lunch stop (at a gas station, I did not want to waste time eating). I staged out of Roscommon on my way towards Grayling, the trails were groomed with a light coat of power. I stopped at the gas station (not saying names) on 4 Mile and 75 and paid 19 dollars for a single quart of Ski-Doo oil I think they may be price gouging but it was still will worth it though. From Grayling I traveled to Fredrick, the trails were perfect no ice and smooth, unusual for December. In Fredrick I stopped for gas and a coffee, then pressed on toward Gaylord where I was the first to ride the groomed trails and the new powder just got thicker, I used caution in the low ditch areas where the groomer was getting stuck. The ruts where a potential hazard, but I am sure they will fill in with time. When I got to Gaylord I stopped in to Sled Shed because I was trying not to pay 19 dollars for another quart of oil, (there it was 9 dollars, much better) and when I stopped the snow was over my bumper and up on my hood, amazing! From Gaylord I took off towards Lewiston when I crossed over the road from Sled Shed it was a different world. The groomer was not through there yet but the trails where still smooth with powder that was anywhere from 1 to 2 feet deep and it was a blast! In my 4 years back in Michigan riding I have not seen snow like this. I think it was near Lovell’s where I found the groomer again all the way to Lewiston. Leaving Lewiston my intention’s where to head towards St. Helen and grab lunch but somewhere between Lewiston and Lovells I got side tracked with trail # 4, 9, 4/9 and the other trails (it would be nice to see a few town direction markers put up) and I ended back in Lewiston just on a different side of the town, don’t get me wrong I am not complaining I still had a great time and the trails made it worth the detour.So, after arriving back in Lewiston I stopped and topped off with fuel, A bag of chips, a Beef Stick and some Gatorade (the local lounge and Steak House does not open until 5 PM) I was a little upset because I really could have eaten a steak. I only had a muffin for breakfast; I did not think I was going to be out that long). I got back on the trails now going towards Grayling, where I made the only marks on a fresh groomed trail for most of the ride. From Grayling on the way back home I was the only person to leave tracks again and I felt like I was driving a brand New BMW on a track all day. Over all I think I may have seen maybe 20 sleds and 5 Groomers, 80 percent of the trails where fresh groomed and 50 percent, I was the first person to leave marks (I felt Guilty). It was a long ride back home in my truck to Macomb. I was tired but happy I had decided to go up only for one day as I sit at my desk at Selfridge thinking of yesterday I feel other people should hear about the great things the season is going to bring for us, also to give credit for all the hard work put into the trail system and thank the people that help take care of the trails. It does not go unnoticed. I think there should be more donation boxes put up to help defer some of the cost. I know that I am willing to give when I can. Well thanks again and I will be back to Roscommon Thursday night.
Attachment: IMG00022.jpg (Downloaded 36 times)
|
